A new rumor claims Apple is weighing the prospect of a new 14-inch MacBook Air model designed specifically to cater to the Asian PC market.

Mass production of the 14-inch thin-and-light notebook may , DigiTimes reported on Wednesday. Apple is said to be considering the 14-inch screen size for the notebook because it is a popular form factor unique to the region.

Currently, the MacBook Air is only available in screen sizes of 11.6 inches and 13.3 inches. There have been rumors that Apple is planning to launch a new 15-inch model of the MacBook Air at some point this year, expanding its ultraportable lineup to a larger screen size.

But while Western countries prefer the 15-inch screen size, in the Asia market, 14-inch notebooks account for as much as 40 percent of sales. It's because of the market's "fondness for 14-inch models" that Apple is said to be considering a screen size specifically for that region.

"The sources analyzed that Apple is currently turning its targets from North American and Europe to Asia, and is eyeing the China market as its major market since the company still has strong potential in the country," the report reads. "The consideration of a 14-inch MacBook Air would be an indication the company will become even more aggressive about the China market."

An illustration of Apple's notebook lineup planned for the 2012 calendar year.

With Apple expected to dramatically redesign its high-end MacBook Pro lineup this year, there has been some question as to whether a new thin-and-light 15-inch notebook would be an "Air" or a "Pro" notebook. Earlier this month, AppleInsider quoted a person familiar with Apple's new MacBook Pro designs who indicated: "They're all going to look like MacBook Airs."

Apple's next generation of notebooks are expected to be powered by Intel's Ivy Bridge processors. This week, an official from the chipmaker stated that the CPUs have been delayed, and will go on sale eight to 10 weeks later than originally planned, likely in June.

So if it doesn't happen, which it probably won't, remember we only said "considering".

Companies consider many things that never see the light of day. Rumors have it that Apple did have a 15" AIR sometime ago, but for various rumored reasons canned it.

In any event Apple has a history of catering to specific markets when it suits their goals.

As an aside I wonder why they wouldn't consider such a machine for the US market. While only an inch that bigger screen could be very valuable for those that find the 13" screen just to small. More so it might free up space for another blade storage module. An inch goes a very long way in these Ultra books.

On this category, mobility is paramount. Just bring the 400 to 600 g MacBook Air. Ideal for Keynote and PowerPoint presentations. The Mac in your pocket or purse. Always. For heavy work, just get a MacBook Pro.

A lot of their profit comes from buying millions of the same part at a knock down price.

Agreed. The best thing Steve did was to simplify the product line. There's no imaginable reason to sell a 13 inch laptop in one country and a 14 inch in another. Or two that are so close in size in the same country for that matter.

I thought that the US, Liberia, and Myanmar were the only countries left in the world stuck with this piece of atavism?

Curiously, Apple markets their models in inches, regardless of the destination.

While the dimensions in the tech specs will definitely be quoted in metric measurements, the same of the model still refers to the inch measurement. A 13" MacBook does not become a 33 cm. MacBook elsewhere.

One thing that's pretty clear - Apple will have larger computers than the current MBA which take some design cues (lighter, thinner) from the MBA. Whether they'll actually be MBAs or what their specs look like is anyone's guess - but Digitimes is the LEAST likely source to have the answer.

"I'm way over my head when it comes to technical issues like this"Gatorguy 5/31/13

Curiously, Apple markets their models in inches, regardless of the destination.

While the dimensions in the tech specs will definitely be quoted in metric measurements, the same of the model still refers to the inch measurement. A 13" MacBook does not become a 33 cm. MacBook elsewhere.

They don't use "cm" in California. End of mystery.
Nothing surprising. Apple still quotes Intel processor specs by Ghz, not by Intel's abstract model number system (i5-2400), which is meant to obfuscate clock speed.

We (Americans) have been spoiled by the fact that so many tech companies began here and catered to our every whim in order to become successful in the first place. But things are changing. China, India and others are going to be HUGE for Apple. Beyond huge. I can definitely see Apple creating specific products that cater to markets that big. How could they NOT?